A person wearing rubber gloves takes a water sample from a natural body of water. PFAS, PFC.

PFAS – Forever Chemicals

PFAS pose a growing challenge to the environment and public health. We help you take early action and develop the right solution.

Priority Lead

Dr Katja Amstätter

PFAS Explained

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic, organic fluorinated compounds, formerly also referred to as PFCs (per- and polyfluorinated chemicals) or PFTs (perfluorinated surfactants). This group includes several thousand individual substances found in countless everyday items – from non-stick cookware in our kitchen to the water-repellent finish on our rain jackets. While PFAS serve a wide range of useful purposes in daily life, they pose one of the greatest challenges in the fields of water treatment and environmental remediation. CDM Smith develops tailored solutions for effectively managing PFAS contamination.

Why Are PFAS Problematic?

PFAS have water-, grease- and dirt-repellent properties, making them common in consumer products such as paper, textiles, paints, and firefighting foams.
Unlike many conventional organic pollutants, PFAS are extremely chemically stable, heat-resistant, and barely biodegradable due to their perfluorinated carbon chains. As a result, they are highly persistent, can accumulate in the environment and build up in the human body. Depending on their chain length, certain PFAS compounds can also be highly mobile, forming long contaminant plumes in groundwater – and have even been detected in the most remote corners of the world.

410+

PFAS Projects worldwide

Our Services at a Glance

PFAS are an increasing challenge for both the environment and public health. Advances in analytical methods, distribution, remediation techniques and the management of contaminated media demand flexible and tailored approaches. That is where we come in – helping you take early action with technical expertise and customised solutions. We guide you through the entire process – from environmental risk assessments and site investigations to remediation and property development.